Obituaries
Veta Grace Smith Covington
The funeral service for Veta Grace Smith Covington will be 10 a.m., Friday, September 1, at Riverwood Family, with interment in Union Church Cemetery. Visitation is 5-8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, at Riverwood, and will resume from 9 a.m. Friday until the time of service.
Mrs. Covington died August 28, 2023, at her home in Union Church, she was 86 years of age. She was born in Brookhaven, MS, December 3, 1936, to John Butler Smith, Sr., and Wessie Katherine Smith. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and lived to even see a generation of great grandchildren.
Mrs. Covington was elected “Miss Loyd Star” in 1955. She was a beautiful lady from the inside out, unselfish, and very devoted to her family and friends. She worked with Bell South, Southwest Livestock, and King’s Daughters. Her favorite pastime was gardening, she enjoyed tending to her vegetables and flowers. She also liked fishing, but watching the children and grandchildren play sports was her greatest enjoyment. She was an avid Brookhaven Academy supporter. Mrs. Covington was a member of Union Church Baptist Church and will be greatly missed by her faith family as well as all who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Charles Smith, Larry Smith, John B. Smith, Jr. and Carol P. Smith.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William Henry “Billy” Covington; children, Dwayne Covington (Sharon), Kendall Covington (Jennifer), Cliff Covington (Angela), and Gary Covington (Lisa); brother, Mike Smith; sisters, Valerie Hill and Bonita Sue Bullock; eight grandchildren, Casey Covington, Cody Covington, Steven Covington, Caleb Covington, Anna Grace Covington, Allison Covington, Kensy Covington, and Jessi Covington; and six great grandchildren, Peyton Covington, Madison Covington, Mason Covington, Mitchell Covington, Kendall Covington, and Charlie Covington. She is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Brookhaven Academy Building Fund, 943 Brookway Boulevard Ext NW, Brookhaven, MS 39601.
James Gerald Mercier
Obituary Document
The funeral service for James Gerald Mercier will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 30, at Riverwood Family. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, at Riverwood, and will resume from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.
Mr. Mercier, 77, of Bogue Chitto, died August 27, 2023, at his residence. He was born in Lincoln County November 1, 1945, to Herbert Mercier and Alma Fuller Mercier.
Mr. Mercier was employed in the oil industry, working as a supervisor. He also loved working outdoors, as well as spending time hunting and fishing. His greatest pleasure was found in being with his family, especially his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fred Mercier, Howard Mercier Sr., and Lowery Mercier; sister, Dorothy Davis; granddaughter, Erika Townsend; great grandson, Fisher Martin; and brother by heart, Jackie Hanshew.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gloria Mercier; children, Chellie Hannah (Randy), Christi Cox (Harley), Scott Williams (Caroline), Shawn Mercier (Rhiannon), Chad Townsend (Jennifer), Blake Williams (Candie), and Chancey Williams; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; niece, Patricia Porter and Auston and Mikaylan Easterling, who are more like his own children. He is also survived by other loving family members and friends.
Richard Earl "Dick" Douglas
“Well done, Good & Faithful Servant.”
These sweet words were surely heard by Richard Earl “Dick” Douglas on August 25th as he entered his Heavenly rest. Born to Jewel and Hollice Douglas on September 17, 1940, as the beloved 5th of 7 children, Richard lived almost 70 of 83 years on the same road. His life was marked by a love for God, his family, his church, and missions.
Growing up in Brookhaven, Richard also spent 2 years as a teenager in Brazil with his family. He later graduated from Enterprise High School alongside his double 1st cousin, Cliff Smith, with many basketball accolades. He went on to play under the legendary Coach Ricks at Co-Lin Jr College and then finished his education at the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Industrial Arts.
He married the love of his life, Bettye Simmons while in college, and their marriage blessed others for over 61 years. Richard worked in the field for Shell Oil in Plaquemine Louisiana, and in Mississippi in Brandon, Bay Springs, and Brookhaven before branching out to own & operate Lincoln Ready Mix, working alongside his men for 20 years before retiring at the age of 56. His business acumen, work ethic and integrity were signatures for his success in a very competitive industry. He balanced work with service to his church – Fair River Baptist - and community, serving as a long-time deacon & Deacon Chair, Chairman of the Building Committee, member of the Pastor Search Committee, and Sunday School Teacher of youth and older men. His Men’s Prayer Group met for many years. He and Bettye received the Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award, and he was voted Father of the Year at Fair River, an award that spanned his lifetime with his 3 daughters. Richard had a deep love for missions and went on many church building trips around the United States with the local Church Building Association. He also used his gifts and talents on many local Habitat for Humanity projects. Internationally, he and Bettye spent 17 years after retirement going with the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission and helping in various ways from building a Mission Compound to working in the pharmacy and handing out bibles to everyone they could. He spread the Gospel by sending out tens of thousands of bibles in Spanish across Honduras.
He loved helping others and often remarked he had had a good day when he had helped somebody. His famous chili and fruit strudels were often whipped up and shared with friends in need of encouragement. With the Lincoln County Baptist Association, he joined a small group of men who built 278 handicap ramps, individualized to each person’s need. His family, who knew him as Papa Doug, were recipients of many woodworking projects, from fences to crosses to furniture – anything to help make life easier and spend time together. He loved “his 4 girls”, a good joke, his trip of a lifetime to Israel, Milky Way Ice Cream, and his thinking chair where he helped many along life’s way….
A constant source of joy were his 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren into whom their Papa Doug poured much love and guidance.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Irene Smith Meredith, and his brother Robert Leon “Bobby” Douglas. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bettye Simmons Douglas; his 3 grateful daughters, Rhonda Baird (Mark) of Jackson, MS, Robyn Aker (Shannon) of Brookhaven, MS, and Ramona Ozier (Lee) of Brandon, MS; his 7 grandchildren, Macey Baird Benton (Matt) of Nashville, TN, Betsy Baird Martin (Lawrence) of Jackson, MS and Richard James Baird of Nashville, TN, Allison Aker McCaffrey (Josh) of Brandon, MS, Leslie Aker Franciskato (Justin) of Madison, MS, Sam Ozier of Huntsville, AL, and Bella Ozier of Brandon MS; and his 5 great grandchildren, Asher, Archie, and Anderson McCaffrey and Rush & Darden Benton. His sisters, Libby Jackson of Madison, MS, Betty Joyce Byrd (Jerry) and Reba Roberts of Brookhaven, MS, brother Connie Mack Douglas (Charlene) of Brookhaven, MS, Cousin Cliff Smith (Charlotte) of Madison, MS, sister-in-law, Barbara Douglas of Brookhaven, MS, brother-in-law Jerry Rankin of Waco, TX, and a host of nieces and nephews he loved very much.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Fair River Baptist Church, 3698 Fair River Drive, NE, Brookhaven, MS. The Celebration of Life Ceremony will be at 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Honduras Baptist Dental Mission, PO Box 1807, Collins, MS 39428, or to Lottie Moon (Payable to IMB (International Mission Board) Attn: Ministry Advancement, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230-3932.
So go on, Good and Faithful Servant – may you look down on us with a smile – as you dwell in the house of the Lord, forever. Amen.
Katrinka Ann "Kate" Wilkinson
Katrinka Ann (Kate) Wilkinson, aged 36, of Central, Louisiana, passed away in her home on August 19, 2023. She was born on March 27, 1987, in Natchez, MS, and was the cherished daughter of the late Samuel (Mearl) Wilkinson and Tammie Wilkinson. Kate graduated from Vidalia High School, and her unwavering commitment to caring for others led her to earn her RN associate degree from Jones College in Ellisville, MS.
Kate's legacy is defined by the love she showered upon her most treasured blessings, her beloved sons, Michael Tatum Lane and Zollie Hendrix Douglas.
She is survived by her loving mother, Tammie Wilkinson, and her four siblings, Hannah Davis, Sam Wilkinson, Joey Wilkinson, and Amanda Wilkinson. As well as her grandmother, Irma Lofton, and her Godmother, Roxy Ricci. Her impact rippled across the family tree, touching the lives of numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will hold onto her memory with love.
Her Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Homeseekers Bible Church in Wesson, MS. This will be a time to reflect on the beautiful soul Kate was, the lives she touched, and the love she shared.
Willie Noel "Bill" Oberschmidt
Services for Mr. Willie “Bill” Noel Oberschmidt are 11:00 am, Monday, August 28, 2023, at Riverwood Family with visitation from 9:00 until the time of service.
Interment will be at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church Cemetery.
Willie “Bill” Noel Oberschmidt, 93, passed away August 23, 2023, at his home.
He was born April 15, 1930, to the late Roy Scott Oberschmidt and Anita Day Oberschmidt.
Mr. Bill was a member of Heucks Retreat Baptist Church. He was a Dairy Farmer and an avid hunter and fisherman and was a catcher and 3rd base baseball player for St. Louis Cardinals Minor League.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Dorothy Nell Sproles Oberschmidt and brother, Roy Oberschmidt.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, John S. Oberschmidt and wife, Kathleen, Billy Oberschmidt and wife, Sandy, Brenda O. Webber and husband, Bo and Dwayne Oberschmidt and wife, Sarah and brother, Mike Oberschmidt.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and one great great-grandchild. He will be missed by all that loved him.
Memorials can be made to Heucks Retreat Baptist Church or Hospice Ministries.
Lynn Edward Boyte
The funeral service for Lynn Edward Boyte will be 10 a.m., Saturday, August 26, at Easthaven Baptist Church with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Friday, August 25, at Easthaven.
At 83, Lynn Edward Boyte left this life to begin a new life in heaven: so many friends and family members are waiting to greet him. But “Miss Beckie” will join him another day.
Lynn was born on August 25, 1939, to Mr. Essie and Mrs. Melva (Martin) Boyte. His only sister, Katherine Boyte Rawls has also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Enterprise Attendance Center in 1958 and then attended Clark Community College in Newton, MS on a basketball scholarship. After graduation from Clark he signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians. In 1964, he left professional baseball behind to come home to his family.
Lynn proudly served with the MHP for 24 years as a patrolman, an assistant inspector, and assistant director of the Implied Consent Bureau, a branch of the department of Public Safety. During this time he also was appointed Senior Tactical Officer for multiple training classes for new recruits with the MHP.
For 10 years, Lynn was a member of the MHP pistol team and was a member of the four-man team winning nationals in 1977. He formed life-long relationships with members of many Law Enforcement agencies and enjoyed great success with his team as well as earning many individual trophies and awards. He continues to hold three national records that have yet to be broken. He is a graduate of the 1983 FBI academy. Following retirement from MHP he was elected sheriff of Lincoln County in 1988 and served the citizens of Lincoln County for four terms. During his time as sheriff, he served as president of the MS Sheriff’s Association from 1993-1994 and served as Chaplin from 1999-2002. He took great pride in his department implementing “DARE” education to several hundred 6th graders, then introduced drug interdiction with canine narcotics detectors. He also implemented the Neighborhood Watch program in the county organizing 69 groups uniting the county. He had a great love of his county and its people.
Lynn is preceded in death by his parents; his sister; and his in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. Webb Russell.
He leaves his wife of 63 years, Beckie Russell Boyte; daughter, Lisa; son, Greg Boyte (LeAnn); granddaughter, Lyndsey; great grandson, Brantley; and granddaughter, Emma Grace Price; numerous nephews and nieces as well as his brother-in-law, Pete Rawls and sisters in law, Webbie Savore and Doris Bradley.
(Written & provided by Boyte family)
Michael Joseph Templeton
The Memorial service for Michael Jospeh Templeton will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 26, at Hazlehurst Church of Nazarene, with burial in the Flora Hills Cemetery in Pearl, MS. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Templeton, 50, of Hazlehurst, was born July 20, 1973, to Benjamin Joseph Templeton and Frances Marilyn Davis Templeton. He retired from the trucking industry.
Michael grew up in Pearl, MS, and attended Pearl High School. He has lived in various places in Mississippi, including Brandon and Florence. He also lived in Alaska for a while before returning to Hazlehurst and making that his home. He enjoyed driving 18 wheelers and working in his yard. His greatest joy was his precious pets, Freya and Ida. Michael will be greatly missed by his loved ones.
He is preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Joseph Templeton; grandparents, Everette and Nellie Templeton and Lamar and Leona Davis.
He is survived by his mother Frances Marilyn Davis Templeton; son, Joseph Templeton of Richland, MS; brothers, Gregory Templeton of Eastview, KY, and Wesley Templeton of Hazlehurst, MS; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
In lieu of flowers you may make donations to the Military Service Dogs Organization.
The Memorial service for Michael Jospeh Templeton will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 26, at Hazlehurst Church of Nazarene, with burial in the Flora Hills Cemetery in Pearl, MS. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Mr. Templeton, 50, of Hazlehurst, was born July 20, 1973, to Benjamin Joseph Templeton and Frances Marilyn Davis Templeton. He retired from the trucking industry.
Michael grew up in Pearl, MS, and attended Pearl High School. He has lived in various places in Mississippi, including Brandon and Florence. He also lived in Alaska for a while before moving to Hazlehurst and making that his home. He enjoyed driving 18 wheelers and working in his yard. His greatest joy was his precious pets, Freyer and Ida. Michael will be greatly missed by his loved ones.
He is preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Everette and Nellie Templeton and Lamar and Leona Davis.
He is survived by his mother; son, Joseph Templeton of Richland, MS; brothers, Gregory Templeton of Eastview, KY, and Wesley Templeton of Hazlehurst, MS; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
In lieu of flowers you may make donations to the Military Service Dogs Organization.
Pat Porter
The funeral service for Pat Porter will be 11 a.m., Thursday, August 24, at Riverwood Family, with interment in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.
At 97 years young, Pat Porter of Brookhaven, MS, went to walk the streets of Heaven, hand-in-hand with his beloved, Eloyce, on August 20, 2023. Pat was born in Franklin County, MS, on May 4, 1926, the middle child of nine siblings, to Barney Nicholas and Katie Lofton Porter. He was raised on a farm during the Great Depression in West Lincoln attending school at West Lincoln School and graduating high school in 1944. He joined the Navy during World War II and served until the War ended. After returning from service, he married his sweetheart, Mary Eloyce Watts, on June 7, 1947. Pat and Eloyce remained devoted to one another in over 73 years of marriage until her death on November 4, 2020. Pat started work after the War at Turnbough’s Body Shop, later moving to the body shop at Clark Nelms Ford in Brookhaven. He founded Pat Porter’s Body Shop in 1960 and in 1963, his brother, Paul, joined him to form Porters’ Body Shop on Highway 51. Pat & Paul built a successful business and in 1977 built a new shop and moved the business to Hartman Street where the Shop still thrives and is known for the quality of the work that is delivered. He taught his sons and grandchildren the importance of hard work. The word “can’t” was not in his vocabulary. Pat was an active member of Central Baptist Church where he served as deacon and taught Sunday School for many years. Although he had been unable to attend services for the past few years, his faith in God was unwavering. He taught by example the importance of faith and hard work. Yet he always enjoyed fun times with his family & friends. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, uncle, Daddy & Granddaddy. He loved fishing, boating and hunting (and his dogs), and always included family in his activities. His legacy is one of faith, loyalty, love, devotion and good times.
Pat is survived by three sons, Randy Porter (Ruby) and Jeff Porter (Louann) of Brookhaven, MS, and Terry Porter of New York, NY; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Porter; two sisters, Ellen Summers of Natchez, MS, and JoAnn Worrell of Panama City, FL; nine grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Barney & Katie Porter, his wife, Eloyce Watts Porter, his son, Ronnie Porter, his grandson, Brad Porter, brothers, Paul Porter, Billy Porter & Lynwood Porter, and sisters, Geneva Bardwell, Raybelle Lofton and Pearl Ford.
Henry Vernon Fairchild
Graveside service for Henry Vernon Fairchild will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 22, at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 9-10:15 a.m. prior to the graveside, at Riverwood Family.
Mr. Fairchild, 81, of Brookhaven died August 16, 2023, at Halo Havens in Brookhaven. He was born May 11, 1948, to Everett Fairchild and Ruby Lois Harveston Fairchild.
Mr. Fairchild was self employed as a cattle farmer.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Gail Smith Fairchild; his parents; and brothers and sisters, John E. Fairchild, Jr., Ruth Jane Waldrop, Virginia Smith, Marvin Fairchild, Catherine Callender, and Carolyn E. Fairchild.
He is survived by his son, Jewell Fairchild; brother, Roy J. Fairchild (Joyce); two sisters, Lyda P. Brent and Margaret L. Fairchild; his special friend and companion, Bonnie L. Turner; and the family at Halo Havens that made him feel so loved and special.
Frances Lee Speights
The funeral service for Frances Speights will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, August 22, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of the service at Riverwood.
Mrs. Speights, 89, passed from this life on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, MS. She was born February 28, 1934, in Prentiss, MS to Johnny Roger Lee and Edna Bozeman Lee. Mrs. Speights was a homemaker. Being a mom and creating a wonderful home environment was her goal. She did that exceptionally well. Mrs. Speights was a Godly woman, who loved her family and church family.
Preceding her in death were her parents Johnny Roger Lee and Edna Bozeman Lee; husband, Francis Joe Speights; daughter Betsy Ann Speights; grandson Caleb Joe Harrison; brothers, Roger Lee, Robert Lee, John S. Lee, and Harold B. Lee; and sisters, Johnnie Sheltra, Louise Webb, and Mary Annette Morris.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Pam Harrison and husband Joel; her son Joseph Scott Speights and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Laura Tarver and husband Jacob, Anna Traxler and husband Ryan, and Luke Harrison; great grandson, Jaxson Hayes Traxler, and her sister Becky McGee and husband John William McGee, and a host of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two men and their families who are family to her. They are Eric and Kathy Storm, and their children Sydney and Sam, and John and Natacia Storm, and their children Mitchell and Justin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frances Lee Speights name may be made to: Easthaven Baptist Church, Haven Cross Fund.
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